electric masher and efficiency

[vwwvgolf]

hello all,

i have done a fair few all grain brew now and recently brought a electric mashing bin and boiler.

i used it for the first time recently but didnt quite reach my target O.G.

i got the bin upto a bit above 66 C ( the mashing temp stated in the recipe i was following) and added all my grain into a nylon mashing bag, making sure there where no dough balls at all.

i noticed that as the bin automatically turned on, to keep the temperature correct, it would raise a good 5C above the waited mark. i was having to stir it alot to spread the heat about.


the thermometer was located just above the heating element.

the recipe used 4120g of pale malt, of which i actully added another 700g.

also had 360g of sugar, of which i added another 100g.

410g cystal malt
255 torrified weat

the final og should have been 1048, but it came up as about 1044.

can some direct me to where i went wrong, even with the extra sugar and malt added i still cam up low. im guessing it has somthing to do with the temperature control with the element??

sorry for the essay

any help much appreciated!

 

[vwwvgolf]

any one got any ideas??

 

[GilSwillBasementBrews]

The higher mash temps could have led to a less fermentable wort. Also how fine your crush on the grains is will have major variance on your efficiency which could also result in a lower than expected OG. the 2 together could easily explain why you OG was lower than desired. But 4points is not all that low.

 

[vwwvgolf]

on the site i purchase the grain from it claims 100% maxium percentage.

i have read somewhere that they dont always tell the truth??

do you think lowering my temperture on the thermostate by a few C will help improve??

thanks

 

[GilSwillBasementBrews]

I don't think anyone ever gets 100% efficiency with all grain. I believe the average is 75-85%. Everything I've read indicates a lower mash temp of 145-150F will give you a more fermentable wort as opposed to mashing at say 155-160F which will give you more body but less fermentable wort. Which would leave you with a higher FG. Now with that being said I've never mashed a recipe at a low temp and then mashed an identical recipe at a higher temp to compare the two results, but I do believe that is the general consensus on mashing temps.